Going off to college is an exciting new chapter in any student’s life, especially since it might be the first time they’ll be living on their own.
They’ll meet new people, form new relationships, explore new places, and go through many new experiences.
But other than sending in college applications, are there any other ways prospective students can prepare?
We believe that books are some of the best teachers, and reading also broadens our perspectives, helping us to navigate what may be uncharted territories.
Books to Read Before College
Here are some of the best books for prospective students to read before college, with both fiction and nonfiction titles that are essential for expanding world views.
1. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Mildred Taylor tells a very poignant tale of the struggles of racial discrimination from the perspective of a young black girl, Cassie Logan. The book has sequels entitled Let the Circle Be Unbroken and The Road to Memphis, in case you want to follow Cassie through her more grown-up years.
2. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Although this may have already been on your high school reading list, this classic novel offers one of the most dramatic insights into the consequences of right and wrong choices. Experience the downfall of Anna Karenina as she blindly follows her misguided passions, and hopefully this will instill in you a more disciplined approach to decision-making.
3. Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery
This is the second book in bestselling author L.M. Montgomery’s series Anne of Green Gables. It follows the journey of Emily Starr as she chases her dream of becoming a writer amid restrictions from her aunt against writing fiction. She ends up getting her poems published and writing for a newspaper. The trilogy ends with the book entitled Emily’s Quest.
4. Foundations in Personal Finance by Dave Ramsey
Although this book is actually a curriculum designed for homeschoolers, if you really want to be prepared for college, personal finance is one topic you can’t afford to ignore. The curriculum comes with a student text, teacher resources, and even video lessons to help you grasp the important concepts about managing your money.
5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This classic offers an insightful look at honor and integrity in light of blatant injustice, shown through the story of the coming-of-age of a young girl named Scout, whose father takes a big risk in defending a black man accused wrongly of a terrible crime.
6. Animal Farm by George Orwell
This seemingly innocent story of a group of animals is a must-read for the incoming college freshman. Through the allegory of farm animals who rebel and kick out their farmer master, students will read about how power corrupts the pigs who take leadership and become dreadful tyrants after their human leaders.
7. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
When a group of schoolboys’ plane crashes on an uninhabited island, the boys initially enjoy their newfound freedom from adult supervision. But as their struggle to survive transforms into terrifying experiences, some of the boys start to dream of being rescued and brought back to the society they spurned.
8. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
This renowned classic is the memorable coming-of-age story of Holden Caulfield, who gets kicked out of a prestigious prep school and scours New York City streets. The author explores various subjects about life and the world, challenging your perspectives before you enter college yourself.
9. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Another coming-of-age story, this book follows the life of a Princeton University student riddled with pride and ambition. Many say that the book is almost an autobiographical portrait of the author himself, who wrote this at age 23.
10. Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
This fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series follows Assistant Pig Keeper Taran as he tries to find links to his past in hopes of finding his destiny. Of course, we would highly recommend you to read the entire series in order to relate more to Taran’s character in this book, but even on its own, this is a great read if you are looking to confirm or find your own path.
11. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
This is a great book for reflecting on why you’re going to college. Robert Kiyosaki explores the mindset that he believes distinguishes rich people from poor people, with poor people tending to view college as a way to get a good, stable job. Instead, he challenges you to think outside the box and pour your time, money, and energy into what can generate passive income for your future success.
12. The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
One of the most pressing struggles for high school and college students is feeling like they’re just aimlessly drifting by without purpose. This book offers one look at how students can find their purpose for their own lives, from the perspective of a Biblical foundation.
13. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
This memoir shares valuable insights, lessons, and perspectives about life that the author himself received from his own mentor, Morrie Schwartz, when he was in college. In addition to reading these lessons, we hope this book will also encourage you to find and learn from your own mentors throughout your college years.
14. Made in America by Sam Walton
This autobiography of Wal-Mart’s founder offers a great look at how hard work, integrity, and honoring others can go a long way toward success. Learn how this entrepreneur rose from an ordinary life in a very small town to dominate the marketplace while holding to a service mentality both for his customers and his employees, whom he calls “associates” to emphasize partnership.
15. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
This book highlights leadership qualities that will help you lead others in a way that serves them. It includes John Maxwell’s Laws of Leadership, illustrated in excellently-told stories to help you understand the principles better. It also includes an evaluation tool to help you find your strengths and weaknesses in leadership.
16. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
What if instead of struggling to fix your weaknesses, you could thrive by maximizing your strengths? This is the premise of the Gallup StrengthsFinder online assessment. Use this book to discover some of your untapped natural talents that you can use to jumpstart your future career.
Books to Help You Grow
Remember, reading not only prepares you for your new season in life, but it’s also a proven tool for continued growth.
Even during and after college, it’s important to keep reading to expand your mind and understanding.
Also, don’t forget to read works of fiction, because stories are important for helping us process thoughts and feelings, and they can also help us navigate difficult challenges, especially during the college years. For more great reads that will help you through this time, check out our list of 20 books to read in your 20s.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
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- 20 Books to Read in Your 20s: Books That Will Help You Through Your Most Transformative Decade
- 20 Best Book Club Books to Share and Discuss with Your Group
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
